Channel Certification Checklist

Before a property can be listed on OTA channels (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO), it must meet minimum content and data requirements. Argonautas includes a validation tool that checks your property against these requirements.

Running the Validation Tool

1. Navigate to Channels > Validation.
2. Select the property to validate.
3. Click Run Validation.
4. Review the results -- items are marked as Pass, Warning, or Fail.

Fix any failures before connecting the property to a channel.

Required Fields

Basic Information

Field	Requirement	Tips
Property name	Non-empty, descriptive	Use a name guests will remember
Property type	Must be set	Villa, House, Apartment, etc.
Bedrooms	Number > 0	Count each separate sleeping room
Bathrooms	Number > 0	Include half baths
Max guests	Number > 0	Total occupancy including children
Description	Min 200 characters	See content quality section below

Location

Field	Requirement
Address	Full street address
City / Region	Required
Country	Required
GPS coordinates	Latitude and longitude

GPS coordinates are used for map placement on OTAs. Verify they point to the correct location.

Amenities

• At least 10 amenities should be mapped.
• Key amenities that guests filter by: WiFi, pool, air conditioning, parking, kitchen, washer/dryer.
• Use the amenity mapping tool to translate your amenities to OTA-specific codes.

Photo Requirements

Photos are the most important factor in booking conversion. OTA channels enforce minimum standards.

Requirement	Standard
Minimum count	10 photos (20+ recommended)
Resolution	At least 1024 × 683 pixels
Aspect ratio	3:2 preferred (horizontal/landscape)
File format	JPEG or PNG
File size	Under 20MB per image
Content	No watermarks, text overlays, or collages

Recommended Photo Order

1. Hero/exterior shot (this becomes the listing thumbnail)
2. Living room / main gathering space
3. Kitchen
4. Master bedroom
5. Master bathroom
6. Additional bedrooms
7. Pool / outdoor areas
8. View / surroundings
9. Dining area
10. Unique features (game room, spa, rooftop)

Photo Tips

• Shoot in natural light during golden hour (early morning or late afternoon).
• Stage rooms with fresh linens and minimal clutter.
• Include at least one photo of each bedroom and bathroom.
• Show the view from the property if it is a selling point.

Content Quality

Description

Your property description should:

• Be at least 200 characters (500+ recommended).
• Highlight unique selling points in the first paragraph.
• Mention the location and nearby attractions.
• Include practical details (check-in process, parking, etc.).
• Avoid excessive marketing language ("AMAZING!!!" "BEST EVER!!!").
• Be free of spelling and grammar errors.

OTA Title

The OTA title (headline) is the first thing guests see:

• Keep it under 50 characters.
• Include the property type and a key feature: "Oceanview Villa with Private Pool".
• Avoid generic titles like "Beautiful House" or "Nice Apartment".

Rates and Availability

Requirement	Standard
At least one active season	Property must have pricing configured
Nightly rate	Must be > $0
Availability	At least some dates must be available

Properties with no rates or fully blocked calendars cannot be listed.

Common Certification Failures

Failure	Fix
Missing GPS coordinates	Add latitude/longitude in the Location tab
Too few photos	Upload at least 10 high-quality images
Description too short	Expand the description to 500+ characters
No rates configured	Create a season template and set rates
Missing amenities	Map at least 10 amenities

After Certification

Once all validations pass:

1. Navigate to Channels and select the channel to connect.
2. Click Connect Property and follow the setup wizard.
3. The property content, rates, and availability are pushed to the channel.
4. Verify the listing on the OTA platform.

Related

• Property Setup -- Full property configuration guide.
• Photo Requirements -- Detailed photo standards.
• Amenity Mapping -- Configuring amenities for channels.
• Channel Integration -- Connecting to OTA channels.